topic Re: Amazon Prime in Community Chat

Amazon Prime

Deanie — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 02:26:33 GMT

I know that this topic has been touched on in a forum previously, however, I am reluctant to bump a thread. I received a statement for the year's cost of Prime and was very surprised at how it has increased. Plus, I discovered that they are now tacking on tax. I requested information on the tax including why and from where they draw their percentage such as is this a State tax. I could not get any answer other than it depends on your area. The CS could not identify from where the tax originates. Can anyone shed any light on this? I am seriously considering dropping Prime. I must analyse the cost saving benefits.

Re: Amazon Prime

Marp — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 02:43:27 GMT

Excerpt from: forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2018/06/22/what-supreme-courts-internet-sales-tax-ruling-says-about-the-state-of-retail/#567895f11e9c

Jun 22, 2018

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday paves the way for states to ask online retailers to collect internet sales tax, a move praised by brick-and-mortar retailers as leveling the playing field between online and physical merchants. (Photo by Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images)

Brick-and-mortar retailers that have seen their businesses upended, and sometimes literally destroyed, by the rise of e-commerce finally had a moment of vindication on Thursday: The U.S. Supreme Court, in a landmark 5-4 ruling, basically gave states the green light to have online retailers collect sales tax, just like any local retailer.

I do not know if local taxes are also included in the ruling but state sales taxes are.

Re: Amazon Prime

Sooner — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 02:50:31 GMT

I got a notice about the prime cost going up. Oklahoma has mandated tax on goods ordered through the internet. It is not the sellers, it is a state law now .

Prime includes more benefits that it used to and also Prime members can get some very good discounts at Whole Foods now.

Re: Amazon Prime

phoenixbrd — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:24:20 GMT

@Sooner How can I find out about the discounts at Whole Foods. I didn't know about the discount. Thanks.

Re: Amazon Prime

pdlinda — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:30:58 GMT

@phoenixbrdYou download the Whole Foods app on your phone. When you go into the store there are color-coded items that are marked down specifically for Prime customers. There are also other discounts. When you go to the checkout, they scan in the bar code on the app and it automatically gives you the discount. Sometimes they have "prime days" when there are specials for Prime customers. I usually go on Wednesdays as that's the day they designate for Prime customers.

Re: Amazon Prime

willdob3 — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:40:37 GMT

@Deanie

Amazon doesn’t make the decision about taxes. That is government.

If you only use Prime for free 2 day shipping please do cancel! Amazon Prime is so much more than that and it is worth every penny if you use even some of the other things.

I love Prime! I got it for streaming movies and TV shows - the annual cost is about what I paid for one month of cable TV years ago. Everything else is icing on my cake.

Re: Amazon Prime

willdob3 — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:45:23 GMT

@Marp wrote:
Excerpt from: forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2018/06/22/what-supreme-courts-internet-sales-tax-ruling-says-about-the-state-of-retail/#567895f11e9c

Jun 22, 2018

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday paves the way for states to ask online retailers to collect internet sales tax, a move praised by brick-and-mortar retailers as leveling the playing field between online and physical merchants. (Photo by Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images)

Brick-and-mortar retailers that have seen their businesses upended, and sometimes literally destroyed, by the rise of e-commerce finally had a moment of vindication on Thursday: The U.S. Supreme Court, in a landmark 5-4 ruling, basically gave states the green light to have online retailers collect sales tax, just like any local retailer.

I do not know if local taxes are also included in the ruling but state sales taxes are.

@Marp

I think this move is going to be a big fail. I don’t see many internet shoppers stopping and going back to B&M stores because they have to pay taxes now. The convenience of internet shopping is too great; B&M stores will never be able to compete with that.

Re: Amazon Prime

Icegoddess — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:56:14 GMT

They charged me tax last year on my Prime. Also, my local Whole Foods has a sign outside about special deals for Amazon Prime customers. I don't shop Whole Foods mainly because it's terribly inconvenient for me. They're on my way home from my hairdresser that I visit every 6 wks, otherwise I wouldn't be on that end of town.

Re: Amazon Prime

DiAnne — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 04:35:02 GMT

I have always paid taxes on Amazon purchases. I thought it was because I was in Washington state where they are. I don't have Prime but I noticed something interesting last week. I was looking to replace an Urban Decay eyeliner pencil and it was $33 on Amazon Prime but at Sephora and Nordstrom it was only $21.

Re: Amazon Prime

tansy — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 05:48:20 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
They charged me tax last year on my Prime. Also, my local Whole Foods has a sign outside about special deals for Amazon Prime customers. I don't shop Whole Foods mainly because it's terribly inconvenient for me. They're on my way home from my hairdresser that I visit every 6 wks, otherwise I wouldn't be on that end of town.

I’m sure the answer is obvious but how do you show that you are an Amazon Prime member at WF?

@Icegoddess

Re: Amazon Prime

KingstonsMom — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 09:22:50 GMT

@tansy

See post #5 above. You need to download the Whole Foods app on your phone.

Re: Amazon Prime

chrystaltree — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 12:36:13 GMT

Blame your states for the tax situation, that had nothing to do with Amazon. The states wanted their tax dollars and I don't have a problem with paying sales tax on anything at Amazon that I would pay sales tax on in a local store. I think some shoppers don't utitlize all the many and wonderful benefits of Prime so if they are infrequent shoppers, Prime might not a benfit for them. Out in the real world, you never hear people complain about Prime because even if they don't buy much, there are the movies, tv programs, books, magazines etc. I find I use my Prime more and more for grocery deliveries, especially Whole Foods. The two Whole Foods stores near me are always so awfully busy and crowded that I never went into them but now I can order things and have them delivered to me...for free. In a couple of hours.

Re: Amazon Prime

dex — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 13:22:40 GMT

My prime is 130. now and I think that is getting to be high.I don’t know if I will keep it after this year?They have been offering memberships to students and others at greatly reduced prices so this could be how they pay for that.

Re: Amazon Prime

I am still oxox — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 13:51:45 GMT

@dex

Just checked my Prime is 119 not 130 I hope it does not go up next June when my membership rolls over

@dex wrote:
My prime is 130. now and I think that is getting to be high.I don’t know if I will keep it after this year?They have been offering memberships to students and others at greatly reduced prices so this could be how they pay for that.

Re: Amazon Prime

bonnielu — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 14:07:20 GMT

Worth every penny. Heck I even save gas not trying to search and find product in our local community with dying malls or no more malls, stores, etc.

Re: Amazon Prime

Sooner — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 14:15:09 GMT

@phoenixbrd wrote:
@Sooner How can I find out about the discounts at Whole Foods. I didn't know about the discount. Thanks.

@phoenixbrd You download the WF app and it has a code you show at the checkout and they scan as you check out. The app tells you what specials are, there are more in store, and they have blue tags .

It is easy and we got tuna and ground beef on sale and a deal for spaghetti sauce then free box of pasta. I can't remember the others! But it is worth doing.

Re: Amazon Prime

sunshine45 — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 14:54:58 GMT

right now we pay $49 a year for prime because my daughter is a student.

not sure if i would pay double that though.

Re: Amazon Prime

hckynut — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 18:10:00 GMT

@Deanie

Have you spoken to a Customer Service Supervisor? Been a prime member for several years and it has been worth every penny to us. I haven't figured out their tax chargers, and I have no plans to do so. Some items are taxed, some are not, and for me I see no rhyme or reason for the why!

What I do know about 1 tax we pay here is this. We always pay State taxes, and even though we DO NOT live in THE City, we have to pay City taxes. Why? Nobody I have spoken with in that City Hall has been able to give me a definitive, logical answer. Pay City Taxes, but CANNOT VOTE in City Elections? Still waiting for someone in the City Administration to give me an answer that I can understand.

Prime? None better in my opinion.

hckynut(john)

Re: Amazon Prime

Deanie — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 21:06:46 GMT

Yes, I am aware of the changes in Internet shopping and tax on goods purchased. However, this is a tax on the membership. Not the goods themselves. And, CS was not a help because they could not answer my question about it. And, am I put out about the discounts for students? I am always put out when I see a disparity whereby one group benefits at the expense of another. It puts me in mind of the bars that charge more for men and women get in free, or hairdressers that charge more for women than men. Or healthcare and cost shifting.

So, I still want to know why there is a tax on a membership? A gym membership? a Cotsco membership? a Sam's club membership? Are there taxes on them also? Just the membership...not the goods purchased.

My Amazon Prime membership is 119 dollars. Used to be 99 when I signed up. The tax on the 119 brings it to 127.00

Re: Amazon Prime

corita — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 21:07:36 GMT

My prime membership cost also went up this summer. But I still consider it a great deal. I don't shop much anymore in stores. Love that products can be delivered to my door! Also use Target and Walmart shopping/delivery program.